IJM's Newest Office In The Philippines Initiates First Anti-Trafficking Operation, Two Girls Rescued

Oct. 22, 2012

At least two of the young women rescued and removed from the bar that night are minors, and they are now safe and receiving crisis care at a government aftercare home.

PAMPANGA, THE PHILIPPINES – Last week, IJM Pampanga helped the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) rescue young women from a bar where minors were being sold for sex. It was the first operation initiated by IJM Pampanga, which opened earlier this year as IJM’s third office in the Philippines.

IJM gathered evidence of sex trafficking and then worked closely with the NBI law enforcement officers to develop a rescue plan. The collaborative team entered the mid-sized disco bar at 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, 2012.

At least two of the young women rescued and removed from the bar that night are minors, and they are now safe and receiving crisis care at a government aftercare home. Three suspects were arrested, and the NBI is also seeking to bring charges against the bar owner. IJM will continue to support the case as it develops.